The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Health Secretary Matt Hancock have both tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said that he developed some mild symptoms including a temperature and cough over the past 24 hours. [1]
He will still be in charge of the government’s handling of the crisis and said he will now self-isolate and work from home, however he will “continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus”.
He was tested at No 10 by NHS staff following personal advice of Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer.
In a video posted on his Twitter account, the Prime Minister said: “I’m working from home and self-isolating and that’s entirely the right thing to do.
“But, be in no doubt that I can continue thanks to the wizardry of modern technology to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.
“I want to thank everybody involved and, of course, our amazing NHS staff.”
“So thank you to everybody who’s doing what I’m doing, working from home to stop the spread of the virus from household to household,” he added.
“That’s the way we’re going to win.”
Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.
I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.
Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020
Prince Charles of Wales, 71, also tested positive for the virus earlier this week. He is currently self-isolating in his residence at Birkhall, on the Balmoral estate. Some other well-known figures to have contracted the virus include: Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Barnier, Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Andy Cohen and many more.
The coronavirus which continues to dominate headlines around the globe has infected hundreds of thousands of people across the world and has resulted in the lock down of entire cities, schools and has caused families to self-isolate in their own homes
The coronavirus is a clear and profound reminder to us all of our weak state subhanAllah. The deadly virus does not differentiate between man, women or child and regardless of our social standing or our financial position, it can affect anyone.
The disease has caused exceptional disruption and has made its way into the worlds of sport, film, politics and royalty. This has acted as a clear reminder that regardless of your status and position that life and health is from Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā).
Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) declares,
“Wherever you are, death will overtake you, even if you be in lofty towers.” [2]
“Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.” [3]
Death is a certainty of life, indeed life itself is a test; man shall die and be questioned. It is in this sense that Allāh informs humans by way of counsel and encouragement that it is only the believers who are successful, those who avoid the fire and secure admittance into paradise. When a believer dies it is a time of great tragedy and loss for the community, but those who submit to the will of Allāh pay heed to what has been revealed,
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient; those who when afflicted with calamity, say: from Allāh do we come, and to Him we shall return.” [4]
Commenting on this verse the notable twentieth century theologian and thinker Syed Qutb (raḥimahu Allāhu) states that trials are part of the process of education. The believers’ resolve to fight for the truth, and to bear in the process whatever they may have to face of fear, hardship, poverty, famine, and loss of life, must be rigorously tested. There is a price that believers have to pay in order to uphold their faith, and that price is their own lives. Unless one’s faith becomes dearer to one than one’s own life, that faith has no chance of survival at the very first serious test. This love and dedication to one’s faith must be apparent to others on every occasion for them to appreciate its place and value in the believer’s heart. Such sacrifice and perseverance demonstrate the believer’s love for his faith, and inspire others to respect it, examine its merits and develop an interest in it. That can open the hearts and minds of many people to Islam.
Tests and trials bring out the best in people, renew their energies, reinforce their resolve, and unleash within them latent powers that they themselves knew nothing of. Moreover, such experiences refine one’s perception and sharpen one’s mental and emotional vision and judgement.
Underlying all this is the fact that, when subjected to pressure and the severe demands of the struggle, a believer will turn to no one else but God for help and solace, and will seek the support of no other power than God’s. This will be done in full acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty and total control over everything in this world.
“Give glad tidings to those who remain patient in adversity’. Who, when a calamity befalls them, say, ‘To God we belong, and to Him we shall return.’” (Verses 155-156) God is the ultimate sovereign and final arbiter. To Him we turn for guidance on every matter. This is the essence of true submission, which comes from full recognition of His control of our destiny and our fate. [5]
In circumstances like today we must remind ourselves to turn back to Allāh. He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) controls everything and he is the only one that can relieve us from our difficult circumstances. We ask Allāh to keep us firm and to allow us to return to him, to forgive us and provide us with his protection.
The coronavirus is affecting 199 countries and territories around the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).
There are around 552,418 registered coronavirus cases worldwide, with around 25,027 deaths. [6] Indeed to Allāh do we belong, and to Him do we return.
It is also important to note that around 128,703 people have recovered so far from the deadly virus alhamdulillah.
We ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to keep us all safe, healthy and to enable us to take this opportunity to turn back to Him seeking forgiveness, and to cure our sick and protect our elderly. May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) also accept those that have returned to him after having the coronavirus as shuhada. Āmīn.
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52060791
[2] Al-Qur’an, 4:78
[3] Al-Qur’an, 3:185
[4] Al-Qur’an, 2:155-156
[5] Tafsir Fi Zilal Al-Quran | Al-Baqarah
